Pepper hybrid ps 16351609

ABSTRACT

The invention provides seed and plants of pepper hybrid PS 16351609 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pepper hybrid PS 16351609 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a pepper plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another pepper plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of plant breeding and, more specifically, to the development of pepper hybrid PS 16351609 and the inbred pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The goal of vegetable breeding is to combine various desirable traits in a single variety/hybrid. Such desirable traits may include any trait deemed beneficial by a grower and/or consumer, including greater yield, resistance to insects or disease, tolerance to environmental stress, and nutritional value.

Breeding techniques take advantage of a plant's method of pollination. There are two general methods of pollination: a plant self-pollinates if pollen from one flower is transferred to the same or another flower of the same plant or plant variety. A plant cross-pollinates if pollen comes to it from a flower of a different plant variety.

Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type over many generations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce a uniform population of true breeding progeny, a homozygous plant. A cross between two such homozygous plants of different genotypes produces a uniform population of hybrid plants that are heterozygous for many gene loci. Conversely, a cross of two plants each heterozygous at a number of loci produces a population of hybrid plants that differ genetically and are not uniform. The resulting non-uniformity makes performance unpredictable.

The development of uniform varieties requires the development of homozygous inbred plants, the crossing of these inbred plants, and the evaluation of the crosses. Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection are examples of breeding methods that have been used to develop inbred plants from breeding populations. Those breeding methods combine the genetic backgrounds from two or more plants or various other broad-based sources into breeding pools from which new lines and hybrids derived therefrom are developed by selfing and selection of desired phenotypes. The new lines and hybrids are evaluated to determine which of those have commercial potential.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a pepper plant of the hybrid designated PS 16351609, the pepper line SBR 163-5005 or pepper line SBY 163-5011. Also provided are pepper plants having all the physiological and morphological characteristics of such a plant. Parts of these pepper plants are also provided, for example, including pollen, an ovule, scion, a rootstock, a fruit, and a cell of the plant.

In another aspect of the invention, a plant of pepper hybrid PS 16351609 and/or pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011 comprising an added heritable trait is provided. The heritable trait may comprise a genetic locus that is, for example, a dominant or recessive allele. In one embodiment of the invention, a plant of pepper hybrid PS 16351609 and/or pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011 is defined as comprising a single locus conversion. In specific embodiments of the invention, an added genetic locus confers one or more traits such as, for example, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, disease resistance, and modified carbohydrate metabolism. In further embodiments, the trait may be conferred by a naturally occurring gene introduced into the genome of a line by backcrossing, a natural or induced mutation, or a transgene introduced through genetic transformation techniques into the plant or a progenitor of any previous generation thereof. When introduced through transformation, a genetic locus may comprise one or more genes integrated at a single chromosomal location.

The invention also concerns the seed of pepper hybrid PS 16351609 and/or pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011. The pepper seed of the invention may be provided as an essentially homogeneous population of pepper seed of pepper hybrid PS 16351609 and/or pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011. Essentially homogeneous populations of seed are generally free from substantial numbers of other seed. Therefore, seed of hybrid PS 16351609 and/or pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011 may be defined as forming at least about 97% of the total seed, including at least about 98%, 99% or more of the seed. The seed population may be separately grown to provide an essentially homogeneous population of pepper plants designated PS 16351609 and/or pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a tissue culture of regenerable cells of a pepper plant of hybrid PS 16351609 and/or pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011 is provided. The tissue culture will preferably be capable of regenerating pepper plants capable of expressing all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of the starting plant, and of regenerating plants having substantially the same genotype as the starting plant. Examples of some of the physiological and morphological characteristics of the hybrid PS 16351609 and/or pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011 include those traits set forth in the tables herein. The regenerable cells in such tissue cultures may be derived, for example, from embryos, meristems, cotyledons, pollen, leaves, anthers, roots, root tips, pistils, flowers, seed and stalks. Still further, the present invention provides pepper plants regenerated from a tissue culture of the invention, the plants having all the physiological and morphological characteristics of hybrid PS 16351609 and/or pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, processes are provided for producing pepper seeds, plants and fruit, which processes generally comprise crossing a first parent pepper plant with a second parent pepper plant, wherein at least one of the first or second parent pepper plants is a plant of pepper line SBR 163-5005 or pepper line SBY 163-5011. These processes may be further exemplified as processes for preparing hybrid pepper seed or plants, wherein a first pepper plant is crossed with a second pepper plant of a different, distinct genotype to provide a hybrid that has, as one of its parents, a plant of pepper line SBR 163-5005 or pepper line SBY 163-5011. In these processes, crossing will result in the production of seed. The seed production occurs regardless of whether the seed is collected or not.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first step in “crossing” comprises planting seeds of a first and second parent pepper plant, often in proximity so that pollination will occur for example, mediated by insect vectors. Alternatively, pollen can be transferred manually. Where the plant is self-pollinated, pollination may occur without the need for direct human intervention other than plant cultivation.

A second step may comprise cultivating or growing the seeds of first and second parent pepper plants into plants that bear flowers. A third step may comprise preventing self-pollination of the plants, such as by emasculating the flowers (i.e., killing or removing the pollen).

A fourth step for a hybrid cross may comprise cross-pollination between the first and second parent pepper plants. Yet another step comprises harvesting the seeds from at least one of the parent pepper plants. The harvested seed can be grown to produce a pepper plant or hybrid pepper plant.

The present invention also provides the pepper seeds and plants produced by a process that comprises crossing a first parent pepper plant with a second parent pepper plant, wherein at least one of the first or second parent pepper plants is a plant of pepper hybrid PS 16351609 and/or pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011. In one embodiment of the invention, pepper seed and plants produced by the process are first generation (F₁) hybrid pepper seed and plants produced by crossing a plant in accordance with the invention with another, distinct plant. The present invention further contemplates plant parts of such an F₁ hybrid pepper plant, and methods of use thereof. Therefore, certain exemplary embodiments of the invention provide an F₁ hybrid pepper plant and seed thereof.

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method of producing a plant derived from hybrid PS 16351609 and/or pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011, the method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a progeny plant derived from hybrid PS 16351609 and/or pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011, wherein said preparing comprises crossing a plant of the hybrid PS 16351609 and/or pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011 with a second plant; and (b) crossing the progeny plant with itself or a second plant to produce a seed of a progeny plant of a subsequent generation. In further embodiments, the method may additionally comprise: (c) growing a progeny plant of a subsequent generation from said seed of a progeny plant of a subsequent generation and crossing the progeny plant of a subsequent generation with itself or a second plant; and repeating the steps for an additional 3-10 generations to produce a plant derived from hybrid PS 16351609 and/or pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011. The plant derived from hybrid PS 16351609 and/or pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011 may be an inbred line, and the aforementioned repeated crossing steps may be defined as comprising sufficient inbreeding to produce the inbred line. In the method, it may be desirable to select particular plants resulting from step (c) for continued crossing according to steps (b) and (c). By selecting plants having one or more desirable traits, a plant derived from hybrid PS 16351609 and/or pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011 is obtained which possesses some of the desirable traits of the line/hybrid as well as potentially other selected traits.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method of producing food or feed comprising: (a) obtaining a plant of pepper hybrid PS 16351609 and/or pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011, wherein the plant has been cultivated to maturity, and (b) collecting at least one pepper from the plant.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, the genetic complement of pepper hybrid PS 16351609 and/or pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011 is provided. The phrase “genetic complement” is used to refer to the aggregate of nucleotide sequences, the expression of which sequences defines the phenotype of, in the present case, a pepper plant, or a cell or tissue of that plant. A genetic complement thus represents the genetic makeup of a cell, tissue or plant, and a hybrid genetic complement represents the genetic make up of a hybrid cell, tissue or plant. The invention thus provides pepper plant cells that have a genetic complement in accordance with the pepper plant cells disclosed herein, and seeds and plants containing such cells.

Plant genetic complements may be assessed by genetic marker profiles, and by the expression of phenotypic traits that are characteristic of the expression of the genetic complement, e.g., isozyme typing profiles. It is understood that hybrid PS 16351609 and/or pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011 could be identified by any of the many well known techniques such as, for example, Simple Sequence Length Polymorphisms (SSLPs) (Williams et al., 1990), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs), Arbitrary Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs) (EP 534 858, specifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) (Wang et al., 1998).

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides hybrid genetic complements, as represented by pepper plant cells, tissues, plants, and seeds, formed by the combination of a haploid genetic complement of a pepper plant of the invention with a haploid genetic complement of a second pepper plant, preferably, another, distinct pepper plant. In another aspect, the present invention provides a pepper plant regenerated from a tissue culture that comprises a hybrid genetic complement of this invention.

Any embodiment discussed herein with respect to one aspect of the invention applies to other aspects of the invention as well, unless specifically noted.

The term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the standard deviation of the mean for the device or method being employed to determine the value. The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive. When used in conjunction with the word “comprising” or other open language in the claims, the words “a” and “an” denote “one or more,” unless specifically noted otherwise. The terms “comprise,” “have” and “include” are open-ended linking verbs. Any forms or tenses of one or more of these verbs, such as “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes” and “including,” are also open-ended. For example, any method that “comprises,” “has” or “includes” one or more steps is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps and also covers other unlisted steps. Similarly, any plant that “comprises,” “has” or “includes” one or more traits is not limited to possessing only those one or more traits and covers other unlisted traits.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and any specific examples provided, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides methods and compositions relating to plants, seeds and derivatives of pepper hybrid PS 16351609, pepper line SBR 163-5005 and pepper line SBY 163-5011. The hybrid PS 16351609 is produced by the cross of parent lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011. The parent lines show uniformity and stability within the limits of environmental influence. By crossing the parent lines, uniform seed hybrid PS 16351609 can be obtained.

PS 16351609 is a bell pepper hybrid adapted to growing conditions in California. It has excellent performance in the coastal valleys of California. It develops a compact plant with large broad leaves and a concentrated set of large green bell peppers with a high percentage of 4-lobed fruit. The hybrid is genetically anthocyaninless, and contains the following resistance genes: L1 (for resistance to Tobamovirus pathotype P0), Bs2 (for resistance to resistance to bacterial leaf spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria) races 0-3, 7, 8), and the pvr2-2 gene (conferring resistance to Potato virus Y pathotypes 0 and 1, and some strains of Tobacco etch virus). The hybrid is also resistant to Pepper Mottle Virus and has intermediate resistance to Phytophthora capsici. The dense foliage cover protects the fruit from sunburn. The yield is comparable to Excalibur, but the fruit is generally more uniform, larger, firmer, heavier, with better overall quality.

A. Origin and Breeding History of Pepper Hybrid PS 16351609

The parents of hybrid PS 16351609 are SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011. These parents were created as follows:

SBY 163-5011 was developed by pedigree selection from Seminis hybrid SVR 99 3 0147. This hybrid resulted from the cross between female “02LB 01973-M” and male “02LB 01662-02”.

The parent “02LB 01973-M” is a green immature to red mature blocky bell pepper. The line is anthocyaninless and contains the L1 resistance gene, which confers resistance to Tobamo virus (P0); the Bs2 resistance gene, which confers resistance to bacterial leaf spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria races 0-3, 7, 8); and the pvr2-2 gene, which confers resistance to Potato virus Y (pathotypes 0 and 1) and to some strains of Tobacco etch virus (TEV). The parent “02LB 01662-02” is a green immature to yellow mature blocky pepper that develops an anthocyaninless plant and contains the Bs2 resistance gene, which confers resistance to bacterial leaf spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria races 0-3, 7, 8). Additionally, line 02LB 01662-02 is resistant to Potato virus Y (pathotype 0, 1, 1.2) and Pepper Mottle Virus. Line 02LB 01662-02 also has intermediate resistance to Phytophthora capsici. The crossing and selections to develop line SBY 163-5011 were made as follows:

-   February, Year 1: Breeders produced the hybrid SVR 99 3 0147 from     parents using DK 02LB 01973-M as the female (the “seed parent”) and     02LB 01662-02 as the male (the “pollen parent”). -   January, Year 2: Planted the F₁ hybrid, SVR 99 3 0147. The hybrid     was bulked. -   August, Year 2: Planted the F2 line and allowed to self-pollinate.     Selections were made. -   March, Year 3: Planted the F3 line and allowed to self-pollinate. In     pathology tests, the line had intermediate resistance to     Phytophthora capsici. The mature fruit color in the F₃ was 100%     yellow. Selections were made. -   October, Year 3: Planted F₄ inbred and allowed to self-pollinate. In     pathology tests, the line had intermediate resistance to     Phytophthora capsici. Also the line was confirmed to be fixed for     the anthocyaninless trait. Selections were made. -   March, Year 4: Planted F₅ inbred and allowed to self-pollinate. The     line was found to be resistant to Pepper Mottle Virus. Selections     were made. -   October, Year 4: Planted F₆ inbred and allowed to self-pollinate.     Further pathology indicates that the line was fixed for the     resistance alleles at the Bs2 and L1 and pvr2-2 loci. Selections     were made -   July, Year 5: Planted F₇ inbred. The line was bulked. -   February, Year 6: The line 07FY 1859-M was named SBY 163-5011 and     was submitted for further increase.

SBY 163-5011 develops a vigorous, broad-leafed plant that produces large, blocky, firm fruit. The fruit matures from a medium green to yellow. The line contains the L1 resistance gene conferring resistance to Tobamo virus (P0), the Bs2 resistance gene conferring resistance to bacterial leaf spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria races 0-3, 7, 8), the pvr2-2 gene conferring resistance to Potato virus Y (pathotypes 0 and 1), and some strains of Tobacco etch virus (TEV). The line is also resistant to PVY (pathotype 1.2) and Pepper Mottle Virus. The line also has intermediate resistance to Phytophthora capsici.

SBR 163-5005 was developed by pedigree selection from Seminis hybrid SVR 2703110. This hybrid resulted from the cross between female “99LB 06462-03” and male “99LB 06228-01”.

The parent “99LB 06462-03” is a green to red blocky bell pepper and it develops an anthocyaninless plant. The line contains the pvr2-2 gene, which confers resistance to Potato virus Y (pathotypes 0 and 1), and some strains of Tobacco etch virus (TEV). The line also has intermediate resistance to Phytophthora capsici. The parent “99LB 06228-01” contains the Bs2 resistance gene, which confers resistance to bacterial leaf spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria races 0-3, 7, 8); and the L1 resistance gene, which confers resistance to Tobamo virus (P0). Line 99LB 06228-01 is also resistant to Potato virus Y (pathotypes 0, 1, 1.2) and Pepper Mottle Virus. The crossing and selections to develop line SBR 163-5005 were made as follows:

-   January, Year 1: Breeders produced the hybrid SVR 2703110 from     parents using 99LB 06462-03 as the female (the “seed parent”) and     99LB 06228-01 as the male (the “pollen parent”). -   July, Year 1: Planted the F₁ hybrid, SVR 2703110 as stake 00LB 4756     and allowed to self-pollinate. The hybrid was bulked and the seed     was stored as 00LB 4756-M. -   January, Year 2: Planted the F₂ line 00LB 4756-M as stake 01LB 00851     and allowed to self-pollinate. Selections were made. -   July, Year 2: Planted the F₃ line 01LB 00851-10 as stake 01LB 04978     and allowed to self-pollinate. Selections were made. -   January, Year 3: Planted F₄ inbred 01LB 04978-03 as stake 02LB 02326     and allowed to self-pollinate. In pathology tests, the line was     fixed for resistance to Pepper Mottle Virus. It was also segregating     for the anthocyaninless trait and for intermediate resistance to     Phytophthora capsici. Selections were made. -   March, Year 4: Planted F₅ inbred 02LB 02326-01 as stake 03CA 01599     and allowed to self-pollinate. The line was found to contain the L1     resistance gene. Selections were made. -   March, Year 5: Planted F₆ inbred 03CA 01599-01 as stake 04CA 01603     and allowed to self-pollinate. Further pathology indicates that the     line was fixed for the susceptible allele at the Bs3 locus. -   March, Year 6: Planted F₇ inbred 04CA 01603-03 as stake 05CA 1385     and allowed to self-pollinate. Selections were made. -   September, Year 6: Planted F₈ line 05CA 1385-01 as stake 05LB 13553     and allowed to self-pollinate. The line was observed to be a     medium-small plant with medium sized semi-misshapen dark green     fruits with leaf curl but good cover. The line was bulked again to     increase seed quantity. -   September, Year 7: Planted line 05LB 13553-M as stake 06FC 66265 and     allowed to self-pollinate. The line was found to be fixed for the     pvr2-2 gene. The line was bulked again, and named SBR 163-5005.

SBR 163-5005 develops a medium-sized anthocyaninless plant that produces medium-sized, blocky, sometimes misshapen fruit. The fruit matures from a dark green to red. The line contains the L1 resistance gene conferring resistance to Tobamo virus (P0). The line also contains the pvr2-2 gene conferring resistance to Potato virus Y (pathotypes 0 and 1), and some strains of Tobacco etch virus (TEV). The line is also resistant to Potato virus Y (pathotype 1.2) and pepper mottle virus.

The parent lines are uniform and stable, as there so is a hybrid produced therefrom. A small percentage of variants can occur within commercially acceptable limits for almost any characteristic during the course of repeated multiplication. However no variants are expected.

B. Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Pepper Hybrid PS 16351609, Pepper Line SBR 163-5005 and Pepper Line SBY 163-5011

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plant having the physiological and morphological characteristics of pepper hybrid PS 16351609 and the parent lines thereof. A description of the physiological and morphological characteristics of such plants is presented in Tables 1-3.

TABLE 1 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Hybrid PS 16351609 CHARACTERISTIC PS 16351609 Early Cal Wonder 1. Species C. annuum C. annuum 2. Maturity (in region of best adaptability) Days from transplanting until 72 67 mature green stage Days from transplanting until 127 85 mature red or yellow stage Days from direct seeding until 98 104 mature green stage Days from direct seeding until 153 122 mature red or yellow stage Beginning of flowering (1^(st) flower early (Carré doux extra early on 2^(nd) flowering node) hâtif, Cupido, Fehér, Flaviano, Lito, Trophy) Time of maturity late (Daniel, Doux medium d'Espagne) 3. Plant Habit compact compact Attitude upright/erect (De upright/erect Cayenne, Doux très long des Landes, Piquant d'Algérie) Plant height 34.6 cm 40.9 cm Plant width 37.5 cm 47.1 cm Length of stem from cotyledon to 11.6 cm 10.7 cm first flower Length of the third internode 43.8 mm 54 mm (from soil surface) Length of stem medium (Belsir, medium Lamuyo) Shortened internode (in upper present (Fehér, Kalocsai absent part) 601, Kalocsai 702) Number of internodes between the one to three (Fehér) first flower and the shortened internodes (varieties with shortened internodes only) Stem: hairiness of nodes strong (Fenice, Solario) absent or very weak Height medium (HRF) medium Basal branches none few Branch flexibility willowy (Cayenne Long rigid Red) Stem strength (breakage strong intermediate resistance) 4. Leaf Length of blade medium (Atol, Blondy, medium Marconi, Merit, Anthea) Width of blade broad (California medium wonder, Golden calwonder, Seifor, Solario) Leaf width 55.2 mm 60 mm Leaf length 102.3 mm 113.3 mm Petiole length 36.8 mm 46 mm Color light green light green RHS Color Chart Value 144A 147A Intensity of green color light (Piquant d'Algérie, light Pusztagold) Mature leaf shape ovate (Balico, Sonar) ovate Leaf and stem pubescence absent absent Undulation of margin weak (Doux très long des absent Landes) Blistering strong (Greygo, PAZ weak pallagi) Profile in cross section strongly concave (Slávy) moderately concave Glossiness strong (Andevalo, medium Floridor) Peduncle: attitude semi-drooping (Blondy) erect 5. Flower Flowers per leaf axil 2 1 Calyx lobes 6 6 Petals 7 6 Diameter 28.7 mm 25.1 mm Corolla color white white Corolla throat markings other: white yellow Anther color yellow purple Style length same as stamen same as stamen Self-incompatibility absent absent 6. Fruit Group Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Color (before maturity) green (California wonder, green Lamuyo) Intensity of color (before maturity) medium medium Immature fruit color medium green medium green Immature fruit color (RHS Color 144A 137A Chart value) Attitude/position drooping/pendent (De drooping/pendent Cayenne, Lamuyo) Length medium (Fehér, Lamuyo) medium Diameter broad (Clovis, Lemuyo) broad Ratio length/diameter medium (Adra, Cherry medium Sweet, Daniel, Delphin, Edino) Calyx diameter 30.2 mm 32 mm Length 73.2 mm 80 mm Diameter at calyx attachment 73.5 mm 70 mm Diameter at mid-point 71.6 mm 80 mm Flesh thickness at mid-point 5.8 mm 6 mm Average number of fruits per plant 9 10 % large fruits 32% 50% weight range: 100-134 g weight range: 140-199 g % medium fruits 52% 30% weight range: 40-99 g weight range: 80-139 g % small fruits 16% 20% weight range: 10-39 g weight range: 20-79 g Average fruit weight 81.6 gm 100 gm Shape in longitudinal section square (Delphin, Yolo square Wonder) Shape in cross section (at level of circular (Cherry Sweet, quadrangular placenta) Doux très long des Landes) Sinuation of pericarp at basal part weak (Donat) very weak Sinuation of pericarp excluding weak (Clovis, Sonar) very weak basal part Texture of surface slightly wrinkled (Doux smooth or very très long des Landes) slightly wrinkled Color (at maturity) red (Fehér, Lamuyo) red Intensity of color (at maturity) dark dark Mature fruit color red red Mature fruit color (RHS Color 45A 46A Chart value) Glossiness medium/moderate medium/moderate (Carré doux extra hâtif, Lamuyo, Sonar) Stalk cavity present (Bingor, absent Lamuyo) Depth of stalk cavity deep (Osir, Quadrato d'Asti rosso, Surpas) Pedicel length 36.4 mm 20 mm Pedicel thickness 14.6 mm 6 mm Pedicel shape curved curved Pedicel cavity present absent Depth of pedicel cavity 20.4 mm Stalk: length medium (Fehér, Sonar) medium Stalk: thickness thick (Lamuyo, Trophy medium Palio) Base shape cupped cupped Shape of apex very depressed (Kerala, very depressed Monte, Osir) Shape Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Set scattered scattered Depth of interloculary grooves shallow (Milord, Topgirl) medium Number of locules predominantly four and predominantly four more (Palio, PAZ and more szentesi) % fruits with one locule  0%  0% % fruits with two locules  0%  0% % fruits with three locules 20% 40% % fruits with four locules 80% 60% % fruits with five or more locules  0%  0% Average number of locules 4 4 Thickness of flesh thin (Banán, Carré doux thick extra hâtif, Dous très long des Landes) Calyx: aspect non-enveloping/saucer- non-enveloping/ shaped (Lamuyo, Sonar) saucer-shaped Pungency sweet sweet Capsaicin in placenta absent (Sonar) absent Flavor mild pepper flavor moderate Glossiness moderate shiny 7. Seed Seed cavity length 56.9 mm 43 mm Seed cavity diameter 63.1 mm 52 mm Placenta length 18.2 mm 22 mm Number of seeds per fruit 28 100 Grams per 1000 seeds 4.8 gm 7.5 gm Color yellow yellow 8. Anthocyanin Anthocyanin coloration of absent (Albaregia, moderate hypocotyl Albena) Plant: anthocyanin coloration of weak absent stem Plant: anthocyanin coloration of weak weak nodes Stem: intensity of anthocyanin weak (California wonder, medium coloration of nodes Clio, Doux d'Espagne, Dous très long des Landes, Golden calwonder Plant: anthocyanin coloration of absent absent leaf Plant: anthocyanin coloration of absent absent pedicel Plant: anthocyanin coloration of absent absent calyx Flower: anthocyanin coloration in absent (Danza) present anther Fruit: anthocyanin coloration absent (Lamuyo) absent *These are typical values. Values may vary due to environment. Other values that are substantially equivalent are also within the scope of the invention.

TABLE 2 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Line SBR 163-5005 CHARACTERISTIC SBR 163-5005 Early Cal Wonder 1. Species C. annuum C. annuum 2. Maturity (in region of best adaptability) Days from transplanting until 57 67 mature green stage Days from transplanting until 110 85 mature red or yellow stage Days from direct seeding until 83 104 mature green stage Days from direct seeding until 136 122 mature red or yellow stage Beginning of flowering (1^(st) late (Daniel, Piquant early flower on 2^(nd) flowering node) d'Algérie, Zingaro) Time of maturity medium (Lamuyo, medium Latino, Sonar) 3. Plant Habit compact compact Attitude upright/erect (De upright/erect Cayenne, Doux très long des Landes, Piquant d'Algérie) Plant height 32.9 cm 40.9 cm Plant width 33.8 cm 47.1 cm Length of stem from cotyledon 13.3 cm 10.7 cm to first flower Length of the third internode 58.7 mm 54 mm (from soil surface) Length of stem medium (Belsir, medium Lamuyo) Shortened internode (in upper present (Fehér, Kalocsai absent part) 601, Kalocsai 702) Number of internodes between more than three the first flower and the (Kalocsai 702) shortened internodes (varieties with shortened internodes only) Stem: hairiness of nodes strong (Fenice, Solario) absent or very weak Height medium (HRF) medium Basal branches none few Branch flexibility rigid (Yolo Wonder) rigid Stem strength (breakage weak intermediate resistance) 4. Leaf Length of blade long (Cupido, Dolmy, medium Encore, Mazurka, Monte) Width of blade medium (Albaregia, medium Balaton, Danubia, Marconi, Merit) Leaf width 50.7 mm 60 mm Leaf length 86.5 mm 113.3 mm Petiole length 34.4 mm 46 mm Color medium green light green RHS Color Chart Value 139A 147A Intensity of green color medium (Doux très long light des Landes, Merit) Mature leaf shape ovate (Balico, Sonar) ovate Leaf and stem pubescence absent absent Undulation of margin very weak absent Blistering very weak weak Profile in cross section moderately concave moderately concave (Doux italien, Favolor) Glossiness weak (De Cayenne, Doux medium très long des Landes) Peduncle: attitude semi-drooping (Blondy) erect 5. Flower Flowers per leaf axil 1 1 Calyx lobes 7 6 Petals 6 6 Diameter 30.5 mm 25.1 mm Corolla color white white Corolla throat markings yellow yellow Anther color yellow purple Style length same as stamen same as stamen Self-incompatibility absent absent 6. Fruit Group Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Color (before maturity) green (California green wonder, Lamuyo) Intensity of color (before dark medium maturity) Immature fruit color dark green medium green Immature fruit color (RHS 137B 137A Color Chart value) Attitude/position drooping/pendent (De drooping/pendent Cayenne, Lamuyo) Length short (Delphin, Petit medium carré doux) Diameter broad (Clovis, Lemuyo) broad Ratio length/diameter small (Bucano, Topgirl) medium Calyx diameter 29.5 mm 32 mm Length 63.8 mm 80 mm Diameter at calyx attachment 77.3 mm 70 mm Diameter at mid-point 79.4 mm 80 mm Flesh thickness at mid-point 5.7 mm 6 mm Average number of fruits per 8 10 plant % large fruits 41% 50% weight range: 100-180 g weight range: 140-199 g % medium fruits 39% 30% weight range: 50-99 g weight range: 80-139 g % small fruits 20% 20% weight range: 1-49 g weight range: 20-79 g Average fruit weight 88.9 gm 100 gm Shape in longitudinal section square (Delphin, Yolo square Wonder) Shape in cross section (at level circular (Cherry Sweet, quadrangular of placenta) Doux très long des Landes) Sinuation of pericarp at basal absent or very weak very weak part (Delphin, Kalocsai V-2, Milord) Sinuation of pericarp excluding weak (Clovis, Sonar) very weak basal part Texture of surface smooth or very slightly smooth or very wrinkled (Milord) slightly wrinkled Color (at maturity) red (Fehér, Lamuyo) red Intensity of color (at maturity) dark dark Mature fruit color red red Mature fruit color (RHS Color N34A 46A Chart value) Glossiness medium/moderate medium/moderate (Carré doux extra hâtif, Lamuyo, Sonar) Stalk cavity present (Bingor, absent Lamuyo) Depth of stalk cavity very deep (Cancun, Cubor, Pablor, Shy Beauty) Pedicel length 33.6 mm 20 mm Pedicel thickness 8.4 mm 6 mm Pedicel shape curved curved Pedicel cavity present absent Depth of pedicel cavity 22.1 mm Stalk: length medium (Fehér, Sonar) medium Stalk: thickness thick (Lamuyo, Trophy medium Palio) Base shape cupped cupped Shape of apex very depressed (Kerala, very depressed Monte, Osir) Shape Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Set concentrated scattered Depth of interloculary grooves deep (Majister, Surpas) medium Number of locules predominantly four and predominantly four more (Palio, PAZ and more szentesi) % fruits with one locule 0% 0% % fruits with two locules 0% 0% % fruits with three locules 26.70% 40% % fruits with four locules 56.60% 60% % fruits with five or more 16.70% 0% locules Average number of locules 4 4 Thickness of flesh thick (Andevalo, Bingor, thick Daniel, Topgirl) Calyx: aspect non-enveloping/saucer- non-enveloping/ shaped (Lamuyo, Sonar) saucer-shaped Pungency sweet sweet Capsaicin in placenta absent (Sonar) absent Flavor mild pepper flavor moderate Glossiness moderate shiny 7. Seed Seed cavity length 50.1 mm 43 mm Seed cavity diameter 67.6 mm 52 mm Placenta length 14.8 mm 22 mm Number of seeds per fruit 85 100 Grams per 1000 seeds 5.2 gm 7.5 gm Color yellow yellow 8. Anthocyanin Anthocyanin coloration of absent (Albaregia, moderate hypocotyl Albena) Plant: anthocyanin coloration of weak absent stem Plant: anthocyanin coloration of weak weak nodes Stem: intensity of anthocyanin weak (California wonder, medium coloration of nodes Clio, Doux d'Espagne, Dous très long des Landes, Golden calwonder Plant: anthocyanin coloration of absent absent leaf Plant: anthocyanin coloration of absent absent pedicel Plant: anthocyanin coloration of absent absent calyx Flower: anthocyanin coloration absent (Danza) present in anther Fruit: anthocyanin coloration absent (Lamuyo) absent *These are typical values. Values may vary due to environment. Other values that are substantially equivalent are also within the scope of the invention.

TABLE 3 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Line SBY 163-5011 CHARACTERISTIC SBY 163-5011 Early Cal Wonder 1. Species C. annuum C. annuum 2. Maturity (in region of best adaptability) Days from transplanting until 57 67 mature green stage Days from transplanting until 127 85 mature red or yellow stage Days from direct seeding until 83 104 mature green stage Days from direct seeding until 153 122 mature red or yellow stage Beginning of flowering (1^(st) early (Carré doux extra early flower on 2^(nd) flowering node) hatif, Cupido, Fehér, Flaviano, Lito, Trophy) Time of maturity very late (Cancun, medium California wonder) 3. Plant Habit compact compact Attitude upright/erect (De upright/erect Cayenne, Doux très long des Landes, Piquant d'Algérie) Plant height 37.4 cm 40.9 cm Plant width 39.6 cm 47.1 cm Length of stem from cotyledon 12.6 cm 10.7 cm to first flower Length of the third internode 72.6 mm 54 mm (from soil surface) Length of stem medium (Belsir, medium Lamuyo) Shortened internode (in upper present (Fehér, Kalocsai absent part) 601, Kalocsai 702) Number of internodes between one to three (Feher) the first flower and the shortened internodes (varieties with shortened internodes only) Stem: hairiness of nodes absent or very weak absent or very weak (Arlequin) Height medium (HRF) medium Basal branches few (2-3) few Branch flexibility willowy (Cayenne Long rigid Red) Stem strength (breakage intermediate intermediate resistance) 4. Leaf Length of blade long (Cupido, Dolmy, medium Encore, Mazurka, Monte) Width of blade broad (California medium wonder, Golden calwonder, Seifor, Solario) Leaf width 45.1 mm 60 mm Leaf length 82.4 mm 113.3 mm Petiole length 26.7 mm 46 mm Color medium green light green RHS Color Chart Value 146A 147A Intensity of green color medium (Doux très long light des Landes, Merit) Mature leaf shape lanceolate (Diavolo, ovate Recio) Leaf and stem pubescence absent absent Undulation of margin very weak absent Blistering medium (Merit) weak Profile in cross section strongly concave (Slávy) moderately concave Glossiness medium (Alby, Eolo) medium Peduncle: attitude semi-drooping (Blondy) erect 5. Flower Flowers per leaf axil 1 1 Calyx lobes 6 6 Petals 6 6 Diameter 27.6 mm 25.1 mm Corolla color white white Corolla throat markings yellow yellow Anther color yellow purple Style length same as stamen same as stamen Self-incompatibility absent absent 6. Fruit Group Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Color (before maturity) green (California green wonder, Lamuyo) Intensity of color (before medium medium maturity) Immature fruit color medium green medium green Immature fruit color (RHS 143A 137A Color Chart value) Attitude/position drooping/pendent (De drooping/pendent Cayenne, Lamuyo) Length long (Doux d'Espagne, medium Majister) Diameter broad (Clovis, Lemuyo) broad Ratio length/diameter very small (Liebesapfel, medium PAZ szentesi, Rotopa) Calyx diameter 30.1 mm 32 mm Length 77.8 mm 80 mm Diameter at calyx attachment 76.7 mm 70 mm Diameter at mid-point 71.4 mm 80 mm Flesh thickness at mid-point 5.5 mm 6 mm Average number of fruits per 9 10 plant % large fruits 26% 50% weight range: 200-290 g weight range: 140-199 g % medium fruits 62% 30% weight range: 50-199 g weight range: 80-139 g % small fruits 12% 20% weight range: 10-49 g weight range: 20-79 g Average fruit weight 100.3 gm 100 gm Shape in longitudinal section trapezoidal (Delta, square Piperade) Shape in cross section (at level circular (Cherry Sweet, quadrangular of placenta) Doux très long des Landes) Sinuation of pericarp at basal medium (Duna, Baneán) very weak part Sinuation of pericarp excluding weak (Clovis, Sonar) very weak basal part Texture of surface slightly wrinkled (Doux smooth or very très long des Landes) slightly wrinkled Color (at maturity) yellow (Golden red calwonder, Heldor) Intensity of color (at maturity) medium dark Mature fruit color orange-yellow red Mature fruit color (RHS Color 17A 46A Chart value) Glossiness medium/moderate medium/moderate (Carré doux extra hâtif, Lamuyo, Sonar) Stalk cavity present (Bingor, absent Lamuyo) Depth of stalk cavity deep (Osir, Quadrato d'Asti rosso, Surpas) Pedicel length 29.4 mm 20 mm Pedicel thickness 12.6 mm 6 mm Pedicel shape curved curved Pedicel cavity present absent Depth of pedicel cavity 13.8 mm Stalk: length medium (Fehér, Sonar) medium Stalk: thickness thick (Lamuyo, Trophy medium Palio) Base shape cupped cupped Shape of apex moderately depressed very depressed (Quadrato a'Asti rosso) Shape Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Set scattered scattered Depth of interloculary grooves medium (Clovis, medium Lamuyo, Marconi) Number of locules predominantly four and predominantly four more (Palio, PAZ and more szentesi) % fruits with one locule 0% 0% % fruits with two locules 0% 0% % fruits with three locules 16.70% 40% % fruits with four locules 70% 60% % fruits with five or more 13.30% 0% locules Average number of locules 4 4 Thickness of flesh medium (Fehér, Lamuyo) thick Calyx: aspect non-enveloping/saucer- non-enveloping/ shaped (Lamuyo, Sonar) saucer-shaped Pungency sweet sweet Capsaicin in placenta absent (Sonar) absent Flavor mild pepper flavor moderate Glossiness moderate shiny 7. Seed Seed cavity length 61.2 mm 43 mm Seed cavity diameter 66.6 mm 52 mm Placenta length 20.7 mm 22 mm Number of seeds per fruit 76 100 Grams per 1000 seeds 6.5 gm 7.5 gm Color yellow yellow 8. Anthocyanin Anthocyanin coloration of absent (Albaregia, moderate hypocotyl Albena) Plant: anthocyanin coloration of absent absent stem Plant: anthocyanin coloration of weak weak nodes Stem: intensity of anthocyanin very weak medium coloration of nodes Plant: anthocyanin coloration of absent absent leaf Plant: anthocyanin coloration of absent absent pedicel Plant: anthocyanin coloration of absent absent calyx Flower: anthocyanin coloration absent (Danza) present in anther Fruit: anthocyanin coloration absent (Lamuyo) absent *These are typical values. Values may vary due to environment. Other values that are substantially equivalent are also within the scope of the invention.

C. Breeding Pepper Plants

One aspect of the current invention concerns methods for producing seed of pepper hybrid PS 16351609 involving crossing pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011. Alternatively, in other embodiments of the invention, hybrid PS 16351609, line SBR 163-5005, or line SBY 163-5011 may be crossed with itself or with any second plant. Such methods can be used for propagation of hybrid PS 16351609 and/or the pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011, or can be used to produce plants that are derived from hybrid PS 16351609 and/or the pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011. Plants derived from hybrid PS 16351609 and/or the pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011 may be used, in certain embodiments, for the development of new pepper varieties.

The development of new varieties using one or more starting varieties is well known in the art. In accordance with the invention, novel varieties may be created by crossing hybrid PS 16351609 followed by multiple generations of breeding according to such well known methods. New varieties may be created by crossing with any second plant. In selecting such a second plant to cross for the purpose of developing novel lines, it may be desired to choose those plants which either themselves exhibit one or more selected desirable characteristics or which exhibit the desired characteristic(s) when in hybrid combination. Once initial crosses have been made, inbreeding and selection take place to produce new varieties. For development of a uniform line, often five or more generations of selfing and selection are involved.

Uniform lines of new varieties may also be developed by way of double-haploids. This technique allows the creation of true breeding lines without the need for multiple generations of selfing and selection. In this manner true breeding lines can be produced in as little as one generation. Haploid embryos may be produced from microspores, pollen, anther cultures, or ovary cultures. The haploid embryos may then be doubled autonomously, or by chemical treatments (e.g. colchicine treatment). Alternatively, haploid embryos may be grown into haploid plants and treated to induce chromosome doubling. In either case, fertile homozygous plants are obtained. In accordance with the invention, any of such techniques may be used in connection with a plant of the invention and progeny thereof to achieve a homozygous line.

Backcrossing can also be used to improve an inbred plant. Backcrossing transfers a specific desirable trait from one inbred or non-inbred source to an inbred that lacks that trait. This can be accomplished, for example, by first crossing a superior inbred (A) (recurrent parent) to a donor inbred (non-recurrent parent), which carries the appropriate locus or loci for the trait in question. The progeny of this cross are then mated back to the superior recurrent parent (A) followed by selection in the resultant progeny for the desired trait to be transferred from the non-recurrent parent. After five or more backcross generations with selection for the desired trait, the progeny have the characteristic being transferred, but are like the superior parent for most or almost all other loci. The last backcross generation would be selfed to give pure breeding progeny for the trait being transferred.

The plants of the present invention are particularly well suited for the development of new lines based on the elite nature of the genetic background of the plants. In selecting a second plant to cross with PS 16351609 and/or pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011 for the purpose of developing novel pepper lines, it will typically be preferred to choose those plants which either themselves exhibit one or more selected desirable characteristics or which exhibit the desired characteristic(s) when in hybrid combination. Examples of desirable traits may include, in specific embodiments, high seed yield, high seed germination, seedling vigor, high fruit yield, disease tolerance or resistance, and adaptability for soil and climate conditions. Consumer-driven traits, such as a fruit shape, color, texture, and taste are other examples of traits that may be incorporated into new lines of pepper plants developed by this invention.

D. Performance Characteristics

As described above, hybrid PS 16351609 exhibits desirable traits, as conferred by pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011. The performance characteristics of hybrid PS 16351609 and pepper lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011 were the subject of an objective analysis of the performance traits relative to other varieties. The results of the analysis are presented below.

TABLE 4 Performance Characteristics For Hybrid PS 16351609 Wizard PS 16351609 REP # 1 REP # 2 REP # 3 AVG. REP # 1 REP # 2 REP # 3 AVG. Maturity 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 −1.0 0.0 −0.3 Plant Height in cm 47.0 45.0 47.0 46.3 46.0 44.0 47.0 45.7 Plant Uniformity 5.0 4.0 5.0 4.7 6.0 5.0 6.0 5.7 Foliage Cover 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 3.0 4.0 3.7 # of marketable fruit from 20.0 25.0 26.0 23.7 23.0 25.0 26.0 24.7 10 plots # of cull from harvested 4.0 5.0 4.0 4.3 6.0 4.0 5.0 5.0 fruit Fruit Length (cm) 99.0 100.0 102.0 100.3 93.0 90.0 95.0 92.7 Fruit Diameter (cm) 82.0 82.0 84.0 82.7 87.0 86.0 88.0 87.0 Fruit Weight (Lbs.) 9.5 10.8 11.2 10.5 10.8 11.5 11.6 11.3 Color 3.0 4.0 3.0 3.3 2.0 2.0 3.0 2.3 Avg # of lobes from 10 3.8 4.0 3.8 3.8 3.8 4.0 3.8 3.8 marketable fruit lobes Fruit Uniformity 4.0 3.0 5.0 4.0 4.0 3.0 4.0 3.7 Fruit Firmness 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.0 3.0 2.0 2.3 Fruit Wall in cm 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.8 0.8 Overall 6.0 5.0 5.0 5.3 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0

The data in Table 4 were obtained with peppers grown and evaluated when the field variety achieved the firm green stage, preferred by growers for making the first pick in the field. Days to maturity refers to the number of days beyond the evaluation date, so a variety scoring 0 would mean that the variety was fully at the firm green stage during the day of evaluation. A variety scoring 1 would need an additional day to fully reach the firm green stage. For plant height a meter stick was used to measure the plant height and a visual estimation of the average for the plot was taken. Plant uniformity and foliage cover were subjectively scored by the rater: 1=very uniform 9=very non uniform for uniformity; 1=very good foliage cover 9=poor foliage cover. Ten plants of each variety were picked in each repetition. From those ten plants the number of marketable fruits and the number of culls (fruit that would not be marketable as fresh market product) were recorded. Fruit color measurements were subjectively scored with 1=very dark green and 9=very light green without reference to a color chart. Fruit length, diameter, and weight, refer to a representative subsample of ten marketable fruit. Ten fruits were lined up stem end to blossom end and the total length in cm was recorded. The same ten fruits were lined up shoulder to shoulder and the total width was recorded in cm. Then the same ten fruits were weighed and the total weight of the ten fruits was recorded. Avg # of lobes refers to the average number of lobes (locules) present on the ten fruit subsample. Fruit uniformity, smoothness, firmness, overall are subjective scores that refer to the particular trait with overall being the raters overall score for the variety. 1=very uniform/very smooth/very firm/excellent overall 9=very non-uniform/very rough/very soft/very poor overall depending on the particular trait.

TABLE 5 Performance Characteristics for Pepper Line SBR 163-5005 L1 resistance Bs2 resistance resistance to gene gene Phytophthora capsici SBR 163-5005 yes yes intermediate 99LB 06462-03 no no none

TABLE 6 Additional Performance Characteristics for Pepper Line SBR 163-5005 pvr2-2 gene SBR 163-5005 yes 99LB 06228-01 no

SBR 163-5005 differs from 99LB 06462-03 in that it contains the L1 and Bs2 resistance genes and 99LB 06462-03 does not. SBR 163-5005 differs from 99LB 06228-01 because it has intermediate resistance to Phytophthora capsici and 99LB 06462-03 does not. Also, SBR 163-5005 contains the pvr2-2 gene and 99LB 06228-01 does not.

TABLE 7 Performance Characteristics for Pepper Line SBY 163-5011 resistance to resistance to Mature PVY Pepper resistance to fruit pathotype Mottle Phytophthora color 1.2 Virus capsici SBY 163-5011 yellow Resistant resistant intermediate 02LB 01973-M red Susceptible susceptible susceptible

TABLE 8 Additional Performance Characteristics for Pepper Line SBY 163-5011 pvr2-2 resistance gene L1 resistance gene SBY 163-5011 Yes yes 02LB 01662-02 No no

E. Further Embodiments of the Invention

In certain aspects of the invention, plants described herein are provided modified to include at least a first desired heritable trait. Such plants may, in one embodiment, be developed by a plant breeding technique called backcrossing, wherein essentially all of the morphological and physiological characteristics of a variety are recovered in addition to a genetic locus transferred into the plant via the backcrossing technique. The term single locus converted plant as used herein refers to those pepper plants which are developed by a plant breeding technique called backcrossing, wherein essentially all of the morphological and physiological characteristics of a variety are recovered in addition to the single locus transferred into the variety via the backcrossing technique. By essentially all of the morphological and physiological characteristics, it is meant that the characteristics of a plant are recovered that are otherwise present when compared in the same environment, other than an occasional variant trait that might arise during backcrossing or direct introduction of a transgene.

Backcrossing methods can be used with the present invention to improve or introduce a characteristic into the present variety. The parental pepper plant which contributes the locus for the desired characteristic is termed the nonrecurrent or donor parent. This terminology refers to the fact that the nonrecurrent parent is used one time in the backcross protocol and therefore does not recur. The parental pepper plant to which the locus or loci from the nonrecurrent parent are transferred is known as the recurrent parent as it is used for several rounds in the backcrossing protocol.

In a typical backcross protocol, the original variety of interest (recurrent parent) is crossed to a second variety (nonrecurrent parent) that carries the single locus of interest to be transferred. The resulting progeny from this cross are then crossed again to the recurrent parent and the process is repeated until a pepper plant is obtained wherein essentially all of the morphological and physiological characteristics of the recurrent parent are recovered in the converted plant, in addition to the single transferred locus from the nonrecurrent parent.

The selection of a suitable recurrent parent is an important step for a successful backcrossing procedure. The goal of a backcross protocol is to alter or substitute a single trait or characteristic in the original variety. To accomplish this, a single locus of the recurrent variety is modified or substituted with the desired locus from the nonrecurrent parent, while retaining essentially all of the rest of the desired genetic, and therefore the desired physiological and morphological constitution of the original variety. The choice of the particular nonrecurrent parent will depend on the purpose of the backcross; one of the major purposes is to add some commercially desirable trait to the plant. The exact backcrossing protocol will depend on the characteristic or trait being altered and the genetic distance between the recurrent and nonrecurrent parents. Although backcrossing methods are simplified when the characteristic being transferred is a dominant allele, a recessive allele, or an additive allele (between recessive and dominant), may also be transferred. In this instance it may be necessary to introduce a test of the progeny to determine if the desired characteristic has been successfully transferred.

In one embodiment, progeny pepper plants of a backcross in which a plant described herein is the recurrent parent comprise (i) the desired trait from the non-recurrent parent and (ii) all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of pepper the recurrent parent as determined at the 5% significance level when grown in the same environmental conditions.

New varieties can also be developed from more than two parents. The technique, known as modified backcrossing, uses different recurrent parents during the backcrossing. Modified backcrossing may be used to replace the original recurrent parent with a variety having certain more desirable characteristics or multiple parents may be used to obtain different desirable characteristics from each.

Many single locus traits have been identified that are not regularly selected for in the development of a new inbred but that can be improved by backcrossing techniques. Single locus traits may or may not be transgenic; examples of these traits include, but are not limited to, herbicide resistance, resistance to bacterial, fungal, or viral disease, insect resistance, modified fatty acid or carbohydrate metabolism, and altered nutritional quality. These comprise genes generally inherited through the nucleus.

Direct selection may be applied where the single locus acts as a dominant trait. For this selection process, the progeny of the initial cross are assayed for viral resistance and/or the presence of the corresponding gene prior to the backcrossing. Selection eliminates any plants that do not have the desired gene and resistance trait, and only those plants that have the trait are used in the subsequent backcross. This process is then repeated for all additional backcross generations.

Selection of pepper plants for breeding is not necessarily dependent on the phenotype of a plant and instead can be based on genetic investigations. For example, one can utilize a suitable genetic marker which is closely genetically linked to a trait of interest. One of these markers can be used to identify the presence or absence of a trait in the offspring of a particular cross, and can be used in selection of progeny for continued breeding. This technique is commonly referred to as marker assisted selection. Any other type of genetic marker or other assay which is able to identify the relative presence or absence of a trait of interest in a plant can also be useful for breeding purposes. Procedures for marker assisted selection are well known in the art. Such methods will be of particular utility in the case of recessive traits and variable phenotypes, or where conventional assays may be more expensive, time consuming or otherwise disadvantageous. Types of genetic markers which could be used in accordance with the invention include, but are not necessarily limited to, Simple Sequence Length Polymorphisms (SSLPs) (Williams et al., 1990), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs), Arbitrary Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs) (EP 534 858, specifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) (Wang et al., 1998).

F. Plants Derived by Genetic Engineering

Many useful traits that can be introduced by backcrossing, as well as directly into a plant, are those which are introduced by genetic transformation techniques. Genetic transformation may therefore be used to insert a selected transgene into a plant of the invention or may, alternatively, be used for the preparation of transgenes which can be introduced by backcrossing. Methods for the transformation of plants that are well known to those of skill in the art and applicable to many crop species include, but are not limited to, electroporation, microprojectile bombardment, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and direct DNA uptake by protoplasts.

To effect transformation by electroporation, one may employ either friable tissues, such as a suspension culture of cells or embryogenic callus or alternatively one may transform immature embryos or other organized tissue directly. In this technique, one would partially degrade the cell walls of the chosen cells by exposing them to pectin-degrading enzymes (pectolyases) or mechanically wound tissues in a controlled manner.

An efficient method for delivering transforming DNA segments to plant cells is microprojectile bombardment. In this method, particles are coated with nucleic acids and delivered into cells by a propelling force. Exemplary particles include those comprised of tungsten, platinum, and preferably, gold. For the bombardment, cells in suspension are concentrated on filters or solid culture medium. Alternatively, immature embryos or other target cells may be arranged on solid culture medium. The cells to be bombarded are positioned at an appropriate distance below the macroprojectile stopping plate.

An illustrative embodiment of a method for delivering DNA into plant cells by acceleration is the Biolistics Particle Delivery System, which can be used to propel particles coated with DNA or cells through a screen, such as a stainless steel or Nytex screen, onto a surface covered with target cells. The screen disperses the particles so that they are not delivered to the recipient cells in large aggregates. Microprojectile bombardment techniques are widely applicable, and may be used to transform virtually any plant species.

Agrobacterium-mediated transfer is another widely applicable system for introducing gene loci into plant cells. An advantage of the technique is that DNA can be introduced into whole plant tissues, thereby bypassing the need for regeneration of an intact plant from a protoplast. Modern Agrobacterium transformation vectors are capable of replication in coli as well as Agrobacterium, allowing for convenient manipulations (Klee et al., 1985). Moreover, recent technological advances in vectors for Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer have improved the arrangement of genes and restriction sites in the vectors to facilitate the construction of vectors capable of expressing various polypeptide coding genes. The vectors described have convenient multi-linker regions flanked by a promoter and a polyadenylation site for direct expression of inserted polypeptide coding genes. Additionally, Agrobacterium containing both armed and disarmed Ti genes can be used for transformation.

In those plant strains where Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is efficient, it is the method of choice because of the facile and defined nature of the gene locus transfer. The use of Agrobacterium-mediated plant integrating vectors to introduce DNA into plant cells is well known in the art (Fraley et al., 1985; U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,055).

Transformation of plant protoplasts also can be achieved using methods based on calcium phosphate precipitation, polyethylene glycol treatment, electroporation, and combinations of these treatments (see, e.g., Potrykus et al., 1985; Omirulleh et al., 1993; Fromm et al., 1986; Uchimiya et al., 1986; Marcotte et al., 1988). Transformation of plants and expression of foreign genetic elements is exemplified in Choi et al. (1994), and Ellul et al. (2003).

A number of promoters have utility for plant gene expression for any gene of interest including but not limited to selectable markers, scoreable markers, genes for pest tolerance, disease resistance, nutritional enhancements and any other gene of agronomic interest. Examples of constitutive promoters useful for plant gene expression include, but are not limited to, the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) P-35S promoter, which confers constitutive, high-level expression in most plant tissues (see, e.g., Odel et al., 1985), including in monocots (see, e.g., Dekeyser et al., 1990; Terada and Shimamoto, 1990); a tandemly duplicated version of the CaMV 35S promoter, the enhanced 35S promoter (P-e35S); 1 the nopaline synthase promoter (An et al., 1988); the octopine synthase promoter (Fromm et al., 1989); and the figwort mosaic virus (P-FMV) promoter as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,619 and an enhanced version of the FMV promoter (P-eFMV) where the promoter sequence of P-FMV is duplicated in tandem; the cauliflower mosaic virus 19S promoter; a sugarcane bacilliform virus promoter; a commelina yellow mottle virus promoter; and other plant DNA virus promoters known to express in plant cells.

A variety of plant gene promoters that are regulated in response to environmental, hormonal, chemical, and/or developmental signals can also be used for expression of an operably linked gene in plant cells, including promoters regulated by (1) heat (Callis et al., 1988), (2) light (e.g., pea rbcS-3A promoter, Kuhlemeier et al., 1989; maize rbcS promoter, Schaffner and Sheen, 1991; or chlorophyll a/b-binding protein promoter, Simpson et al., 1985), (3) hormones, such as abscisic acid (Marcotte et al., 1989), (4) wounding (e.g., wunl, Siebertz et al., 1989); or (5) chemicals such as methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, or Safener. It may also be advantageous to employ organ-specific promoters (e.g., Roshal et al., 1987; Schernthaner et al., 1988; Bustos et al., 1989).

Exemplary nucleic acids which may be introduced to plants of this invention include, for example, DNA sequences or genes from another species, or even genes or sequences which originate with or are present in the same species, but are incorporated into recipient cells by genetic engineering methods rather than classical reproduction or breeding techniques. However, the term “exogenous” is also intended to refer to genes that are not normally present in the cell being transformed, or perhaps simply not present in the form, structure, etc., as found in the transforming DNA segment or gene, or genes which are normally present and that one desires to express in a manner that differs from the natural expression pattern, e.g., to over-express. Thus, the term “exogenous” gene or DNA is intended to refer to any gene or DNA segment that is introduced into a recipient cell, regardless of whether a similar gene may already be present in such a cell. The type of DNA included in the exogenous DNA can include DNA which is already present in the plant cell, DNA from another plant, DNA from a different organism, or a DNA generated externally, such as a DNA sequence containing an antisense message of a gene, or a DNA sequence encoding a synthetic or modified version of a gene.

Many hundreds if not thousands of different genes are known and could potentially be introduced into a pepper plant according to the invention. Non-limiting examples of particular genes and corresponding phenotypes one may choose to introduce into a pepper plant include one or more genes for insect tolerance, such as a Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) gene, pest tolerance such as genes for fungal disease control, herbicide tolerance such as genes conferring glyphosate tolerance, and genes for quality improvements such as yield, nutritional enhancements, environmental or stress tolerances, or any desirable changes in plant physiology, growth, development, morphology or plant product(s). For example, structural genes would include any gene that confers insect tolerance including but not limited to a Bacillus insect control protein gene as described in WO 99/31248, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,052, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,500,365 and 5,880,275, herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. In another embodiment, the structural gene can confer tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate as conferred by genes including, but not limited to Agrobacterium strain CP4 glyphosate resistant EPSPS gene (aroA:CP4) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,435, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, or glyphosate oxidoreductase gene (GOX) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,175, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Alternatively, the DNA coding sequences can affect these phenotypes by encoding a non-translatable RNA molecule that causes the targeted inhibition of expression of an endogenous gene, for example via antisense- or cosuppression-mediated mechanisms (see, for example, Bird et al., 1991). The RNA could also be a catalytic RNA molecule (i.e., a ribozyme) engineered to cleave a desired endogenous mRNA product (see for example, Gibson and Shillito, 1997). Thus, any gene which produces a protein or mRNA which expresses a phenotype or morphology change of interest is useful for the practice of the present invention.

G. Definitions

In the description and tables herein, a number of terms are used. In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of the specification and claims, the following definitions are provided:

Allele: Any of one or more alternative forms of a gene locus, all of which alleles relate to one trait or characteristic. In a diploid cell or organism, the two alleles of a given gene occupy corresponding loci on a pair of homologous chromosomes.

Backcrossing: A process in which a breeder repeatedly crosses hybrid progeny, for example a first generation hybrid (F₁), back to one of the parents of the hybrid progeny.

Backcrossing can be used to introduce one or more single locus conversions from one genetic background into another.

Crossing: The mating of two parent plants.

Cross-pollination: Fertilization by the union of two gametes from different plants.

Diploid: A cell or organism having two sets of chromosomes.

Emasculate: The removal of plant male sex organs or the inactivation of the organs with a cytoplasmic or nuclear genetic factor or a chemical agent conferring male sterility.

Enzymes: Molecules which can act as catalysts in biological reactions.

F₁ Hybrid: The first generation progeny of the cross of two nonisogenic plants.

Genotype: The genetic constitution of a cell or organism.

Haploid: A cell or organism having one set of the two sets of chromosomes in a diploid.

Linkage: A phenomenon wherein alleles on the same chromosome tend to segregate together more often than expected by chance if their transmission was independent.

Marker: A readily detectable phenotype, preferably inherited in codominant fashion (both alleles at a locus in a diploid heterozygote are readily detectable), with no environmental variance component, i.e., heritability of 1.

Phenotype: The detectable characteristics of a cell or organism, which characteristics are the manifestation of gene expression.

Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL): Quantitative trait loci (QTL) refer to genetic loci that control to some degree numerically representable traits that are usually continuously distributed.

Resistance: As used herein, the terms “resistance” and “tolerance” are used interchangeably to describe plants that show no symptoms to a specified biotic pest, pathogen, abiotic influence or environmental condition. These terms are also used to describe plants showing some symptoms but that are still able to produce marketable product with an acceptable yield. Some plants that are referred to as resistant or tolerant are only so in the sense that they may still produce a crop, even though the plants are stunted and the yield is reduced.

Regeneration: The development of a plant from tissue culture.

Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) color chart value: The RHS color chart is a standardized reference which allows accurate identification of any color. A color's designation on the chart describes its hue, brightness and saturation. A color is precisely named by the RHS color chart by identifying the group name, sheet number and letter, e.g., Yellow-Orange Group 19A or Red Group 41B.

Self-pollination: The transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of the same plant.

Single Locus Converted (Conversion) Plant: Plants which are developed by a plant breeding technique called backcrossing, wherein essentially all of the morphological and physiological characteristics of a pepper variety are recovered in addition to the characteristics of the single locus transferred into the variety via the backcrossing technique and/or by genetic transformation.

Substantially Equivalent: A characteristic that, when compared, does not show a statistically significant difference (e.g., p=0.05) from the mean.

Tissue Culture: A composition comprising isolated cells of the same or a different type or a collection of such cells organized into parts of a plant.

Transgene: A genetic locus comprising a sequence which has been introduced into the genome of a pepper plant by transformation.

H. Deposit Information

A deposit of pepper hybrid PS 16351609 and inbred parent lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011, disclosed above and recited in the claims, has been made with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Blvd., Manassas, Va. 20110-2209. The date of each of the deposits was Sep. 23, 2010. The accession numbers for those deposited seeds of pepper hybrid PS 16351609 and inbred parent lines SBR 163-5005 and SBY 163-5011 are ATCC Accession No. PTA-11357, ATCC Accession No. PTA-11353, and ATCC Accession No. PTA-11354, respectively. Upon issuance of a patent, all restrictions upon the deposits will be removed, and the deposits are intended to meet all of the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.801-1.809. The deposits will be maintained in the depository for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the last request, or for the effective life of the patent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced if necessary during that period.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the invention, as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

All references cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

REFERENCES

The following references, to the extent that they provide exemplary procedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein, are specifically incorporated herein by reference:

-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,619 -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,175 -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,365 -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,055 -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,435 -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,052 -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,275 -   An et al., Plant Physiol., 88:547, 1988. -   Bird et al., Biotech. Gen. Engin. Rev., 9:207, 1991. -   Bustos et al., Plant Cell, 1:839, 1989. -   Callis et al., Plant Physiol., 88:965, 1988. -   Choi et al., Plant Cell Rep., 13: 344-348, 1994. -   Dekeyser et al., Plant Cell, 2:591, 1990. -   Ellul et al., Theor. Appl. Genet., 107:462-469, 2003. -   EP 534 858 -   Fraley et al., Bio/Technology, 3:629-635, 1985. -   Fromm et al., Nature, 312:791-793, 1986. -   Fromm et al., Plant Cell, 1:977, 1989. -   Gibson and Shillito, Mol. Biotech., 7:125, 1997 -   Klee et al., Bio-Technology, 3(7):637-642, 1985. -   Kuhlemeier et al., Plant Cell, 1:471, 1989. -   Marcotte et al., Nature, 335:454, 1988. -   Marcotte et al., Plant Cell, 1:969, 1989. -   Odel et al., Nature, 313:810, 1985. -   Omirulleh et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 21(3):415-428, 1993. -   Potrykus et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 199:183-188, 1985. -   Roshal et al., EMBO J., 6:1155, 1987. -   Schaffner and Sheen, Plant Cell, 3:997, 1991. -   Schernthaner et al., EMBO J., 7:1249, 1988. -   Siebertz et al., Plant Cell, 1:961, 1989. -   Simpson et al., EMBO J., 4:2723, 1985. -   Terada and Shimamoto, Mol. Gen. Genet., 220:389, 1990. -   Uchimiya et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 204:204, 1986. -   Wang et al., Science, 280:1077-1082, 1998. -   Williams et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 1 8:6531-6535, 1990. -   WO 99/31248 

1. A pepper plant comprising at least a first set of the chromosomes of pepper line SBR 163-5005 or pepper line SBY 163-5011, a sample of seed of said lines having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-11353, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-11354, respectively.
 2. A seed comprising at least a first set of the chromosomes of pepper line SBR 163-5005 or pepper line SBY 163-5011, a sample of seed of said lines having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-11353, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-11354, respectively.
 3. The plant of claim 1, which is inbred.
 4. The plant of claim 1, which is hybrid.
 5. The plant of claim 4, wherein the hybrid plant is pepper hybrid PS 16351609, a sample of seed of said hybrid PS 16351609 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-11357.
 6. The plant of claim 1, wherein the plant is a plant of line SBR 163-5005 or line SBY 163-5011.
 7. A plant part of the plant of claim
 1. 8. The plant part of claim 7, further defined as a leaf, a ovule, pollen, a fruit, or a cell.
 9. A pepper plant having all the physiological and morphological characteristics of the pepper plant of claim
 5. 10. A pepper plant having all the physiological and morphological characteristics of the pepper plant of claim
 6. 11. A tissue culture of regenerable cells of the plant of claim
 1. 12. The tissue culture according to claim 11, comprising cells or protoplasts from a plant part selected from the group consisting of embryos, meristems, cotyledons, pollen, leaves, anthers, roots, root tips, pistil, flower, seed and stalks.
 13. A pepper plant regenerated from the tissue culture of claim
 12. 14. A method of vegetatively propagating the plant of claim 1 comprising the steps of: (a) collecting tissue capable of being propagated from a plant according to claim 1; (b) cultivating said tissue to obtain proliferated shoots; and (c) rooting said proliferated shoots to obtain rooted plantlets.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising growing at least a first plant from said rooted plantlets.
 16. A method of introducing a desired trait into a pepper line comprising: (a) crossing a plant of line SBR 163-5005 or SBY 163-5011 with a second pepper plant that comprises a desired trait to produce F1 progeny, a sample of seed of said lines having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-11353, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-11354, respectively; (b) selecting an F1 progeny that comprises the desired trait; (c) backcrossing the selected F1 progeny with a plant of line SBR 163-5005 or SBY 163-5011 to produce backcross progeny; (d) selecting backcross progeny comprising the desired trait and the physiological and morphological characteristic of pepper line SBR 163-5005 or SBY 163-5011; and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) three or more times to produce selected fourth or higher backcross progeny that comprise the desired trait.
 17. A pepper plant produced by the method of claim
 16. 18. A method of producing a plant comprising an added trait, the method comprising introducing a transgene conferring the trait into a plant of hybrid PS 16351609, line SBR 163-5005 or line SBY 163-5011, a sample of seed of said hybrid and lines having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-11357, ATCC Accession Number PTA-11353, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-11354, respectively.
 19. A plant produced by the method of claim
 18. 20. The plant of claim 1, comprising a transgene.
 21. The plant of claim 20, wherein the transgene confers a trait selected from the group consisting of male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, pest resistance, disease resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism, environmental stress tolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism and modified protein metabolism.
 22. The plant of claim 1, comprising a single locus conversion.
 23. The plant of claim 22, wherein the single locus conversion confers a trait selected from the group consisting of male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, pest resistance, disease resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism, environmental stress tolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism and modified protein metabolism.
 24. A method for producing a seed of a plant derived from at least one of hybrid PS 16351609, line SBR 163-5005 or line SBY 163-5011 comprising the steps of: (a) crossing a pepper plant of hybrid PS 16351609, line SBR 163-5005 or line SBY 163-5011 with itself or a second pepper plant; a sample of seed of said hybrid and lines having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-11357, ATCC Accession Number PTA-11353, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-11354, respectively; and (b) allowing seed of a hybrid PS 16351609, line SBR 163-5005 or line SBY 163-5011-derived pepper plant to form.
 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the steps of: (c) selfing a plant grown from said hybrid PS 16351609, SBR 163-5005 or SBY 163-5011-derived pepper seed to yield additional hybrid PS 16351609, line SBR 163-5005 or line SBY 163-5011-derived pepper seed; (d) growing said additional hybrid PS 16351609, line SBR 163-5005 or line SBY 163-5011-derived pepper seed of step (c) to yield additional hybrid PS 16351609, line SBR 163-5005 or line SBY 163-5011-derived pepper plants; and (e) repeating the crossing and growing steps of (c) and (d) to generate at least a first further hybrid PS 16351609, line SBR 163-5005 or line SBY 163-5011-derived pepper plant.
 26. The method of claim 24, wherein the second pepper plant is of an inbred pepper line.
 27. The method of claim 24, comprising crossing line SBR 163-5005 with line SBY 163-5011, a sample of seed of said lines having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-11353, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-11354, respectively.
 28. The method of claim 25, further comprising: (f) crossing the further hybrid PS 16351609, SBR 163-5005 or SBY 163-5011-derived pepper plant with a second pepper plant to produce seed of a hybrid progeny plant.
 29. A hybrid seed produced by the method of claim
 27. 30. A plant produced by growing the seed of claim
 27. 31. A plant part of the plant of claim
 30. 32. The plant part of claim 31, further defined as a leaf, a flower, a fruit, an ovule, pollen, or a cell.
 33. A method of producing a pepper seed comprising crossing the plant of claim 1 with itself or a second pepper plant and allowing seed to form.
 34. A method of producing a pepper fruit comprising: (a) obtaining a plant according to claim 1, wherein the plant has been cultivated to maturity; and (b) collecting a pepper from the plant. 